London MP’s torture bill moves forward

A rookie London MP’s proposed law has passed a crucial second reading, which only about a third of all private member’s bills survive in the House of Commons.

The bill by Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal MP for London North Centre, aims to amend a Criminal Code oversight that he believes “cheats victims” across Canada.

Torture is a crime in Canada, but only if it’s committed by “the state” — such as a police officer beating a suspect for hours. But it doesn’t apply to extreme crimes by ordinary citizens, who are instead often convicted of aggravated assault.

If successful, the proposed law would make torture a crime in “the private sphere,” Fragiskatos said.

“This is a proud day,” he said after the second reading. “But this was never about me. It’s about standing up for the victims of torture.”

Only about three per cent of private member’s bills ever become law, and the Fragiskatos’ proposal has a long way to go still.

It now goes to a bipartisan committee for analysis, then returns to the House of Commons for a third reading. If it passes, it goes to the Senate for consideration. If successful there, it’s sent for royal assent and becomes law.

Fragiskatos has said in a previous interview that the term “aggravated assault” often doesn’t capture the severity of some crimes.

“There are many . . . cases, including in London, where offences far exceeding what is implied by ‘aggravated assault’ took place. In fact, these are all cases of torture,” he said. “When suffering goes unacknowledged, justice cannot be said to exist.”